Show the petrol people watt’s watt

THE NEWS that Harley-Davidson has dipped a toe into the electric bike market
with a battery powered prototype has shocked the company’s faithful V-twin
and loud-pipe disciples, but the venerable old marque is riding the wave of
the future: other companies, such as Lightning, Zero and Brammo, have
already brought them to market.

Some models have been a bit oddball, but the latest offering, the Empulse R
from Brammo, trounces the mid-size petrol competition in almost every
regard. I’ve had more fun riding the Empulse R than any other bike bar none
— it’s like jumping onto a boisterous puppy that wants to chase
fast-cornering rabbits to the far horizon.

The first electric bike built for real bikers, it performs like a bike, it’s
got a clutch and a gearbox and other non-vital knick-knacks and it doesn’t
scream “green” at you and make you feel like a self-righteous hair shirt.
After